Duotone 12 string - Ric-like??

[Citrus]

Curious how these compare tone wise to a Rickenbacker

How is the jangle factor?

[cmatthes]

Not sure - probably not too bad if you stick with the bridge pickup and put it through a compressor.

I think the Newport 12 does a very convincing RIC sound. Actually, the best at nailing that sound of anything else I've played in over 20 years. I think the all-maple semi-hollow construction helps, but at least mine is strung like a RIC, Fundamentals first, Octaves below. The PhatCats also work well with the whole package.

I got rid of my RICs years ago because they were just too cramped to play below the 5th fret with my giant hands, and I went through many different 12 strings trying to find something that would get me what I wanted. I'd definitely give the Newport 12 a try, and you're far more likely to find one of those before a Duotone 12 string turns up anywhere.

[Jeff R]

I was having a Ric vs. Newport debate just a month or so when I decided to add something semi-hollow to my stable, and I played my first Ric 12-stringer during my test drives. I have long, thin fingers and I was having SERIOUS problems navigating the cowboy chords region, and that's likely where most of my 12-string playing would occur if I was shopping for one.

From a player's standpoint, I don't think a Ric would a viable option for me no matter how much of a desirable and signature sound they produce. If I was going for a 12-string, I'd probably lean towards a Newport with Phat Cats.

For what it's worth, I ended up going with Gale's Artist he put FS on the board and I'm quite happy with it. If I seek a 12-string sound, I'll just fake it with my chorus pedal for now.

[BCR Greg]

Use a sharkfin pick.

[django49]

Use a sharkfin pick.

Those Dunlop sharkfin picks are the great unknown trick.......I bought a couple gross of them and give them to everyone. I stick a small piece of velcro on one side and I no longer drop them as I shift positions.

Use as a standard pick, a "doublepick" to simulate a 12 string or the ridged side to simulate a "chorus".

[svl]

My Prototype 12 does an amazing sim of a Ric. Jangles for days.

[serial]

My Prototype 12 does an amazing sim of a Ric. Jangles for days.

This. Mine too.

[geoff_hartwell]

I love my Eclipse 12er. Definitely not overly-jangly. And just like I like it.

You're prob a lot more likely to come across one of these before a Newport or Duotone.

Worth a spin!

Geoff

[tobereeno]

not that they exactly turn up that often, but the guitar that gets played the MOST, is the 12 string neck of my Californian doubleneck. So if I had a 12-string Californian, that would be what I'd be grabbing the most often. Dunno if I'd call it Rickenbacker-ish, but it chimes when coil-tapped, can sound like a Gibson EDS-1275 when humbucking, or throw it into metal mode and it still sounds good with the gain set to 11.

[mc2]

THIS....if you can find one.

Old 60s Vox hollowbody 12. It's been my main 12 for decades.

It has the Vox treble boost built in with a on/off switch....the same one that Roger McGuinn tore out of a Vox and had installed in his main Ric 12 that he recorded a lot of The Byrds stuff with. THAT was his secret.

This Vox sounds more like a Ric 12 (since a lot of folks identify its souns with The Byrds) than a stock Ric 12.

The neck also has a decent amount of width, I have big bass player hands and it is one of the wider 12s.

Only thing I changed on my main one was put on mini Schaller tuners. I've had so many offeres by guitarists asking to buy it over the years that I've lost count. Even jamming side-by-side with guys with Rics, they always ask to play it and try to figure out why it sounds better than their Rics. Great 12.

I also always string it with acoustic bronze strings...a trick luthier Ryan Brodesser turned ne onto ages ago. Lower tension but still a nice jangle.

[polara]

I used to have a Duotone 12-string I got from Mobster. Flat top but with the modern electronics. Had mini-buckers a la Firebird. It could be pretty Ric-ish but of course the piezo would take it in another territory. Very comfy to play, noticeably bigger neck than the Rics I've played. Very rare birds, though. You found one?